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Realize that your EDC Handgun is part of a system. The system includes, your mind, your training, your handgun, your belt, your additional ammo/carrier and your holster. Here is a short synopsis of selecting a handgun by South Florida Gun School.
Combat Pistol and Equipment
Understanding that a handgun is not the ideal firearm for
combat due to its limited stopping ability, is the first step in
selecting a handgun and its accessories. Let's look at what we
should look for and how it should be employed.
A. The Combat Handgun
In selecting the Combat Handgun, there are many
considerations. First and foremost should be reliability and/or
dependability. If your handgun does not hold up in training
and practice, it should not be used for self defense.
Second, caliber and stopping ability should be your next
consideration. We would contend that the minimum caliber
of a defensive handgun should be a 9mm/.38. Anything
smaller in caliber should be considered no more than a back
up gun (BUG). One should carry they maximum caliber that
can be shot comfortably. A caliber that you can control the
recoil for a second shot on target. I will not go into ballistics
of handguns here, but will say that even the largest caliber
handgun does not have the stopping power of a carbine, rifle
of shotgun.
There have been many studies done by the FBI after the
Miami Shootout that contends that larger is better and that
newer bullet design is sufficient even in smaller calibers. I
am not convinced. Smaller calibers should be considered
only if increased capacity is used. Our preference would be a
caliber starting in .4. Whatever you chose, you should be able
to control recoil for follow-up shots effectively. This can only
be realized in training and practice.
Next, we should look for a handgun from a reputable
manufacturer. Cheaper may seem a better deal to some, but
my question is always. What is your life worth? Do not
scrimp on a EDC (Everyday Carry). Your life may and
probably will at sometime depend on it.
How the handgun fits your hand is another consideration. If
your hand cannot manipulate the firearm , you will not be
effective in the use of that gun. Being able to reach the
controls of a handgun is critical, as you will lose fine motor
skills during a violent encounter. It must be simplistic in
design and easy to manipulate. Magazine releases, slide lock
releases, safety’s must be easily accessible and user friendly.
Revolvers must have easy access to cylinder latch releases.
The gun must fit your hand for you to be able to shoot it
accurately and comfortably.
Revolver vs. Semi Auto- Bar room brawls have been started
over easier questions. I have stated over and over again, a
firearm is a tool. Nothing more or nothing less. Have a good
tool, spend the time and money learning its advantages and
disadvantages. Another words, know what it will and won’t
do. I would never feel under gunned with a quality revolver
and enough speed loaders of ammo.
The benefits of a good quality revolver can never be
overlooked. There have probably been more self defense
shootings with a quality revolver that with modern day semi-
autos. Only due to the fact that revolvers have been around
longer.
Revolver Advantages-
a-Ease of operation-Less training and practice to become proficient
b-Reliability, less moving parts
c-Easily concealable in smaller frames
d-Can handle larger calibers in smaller gun
e-Due to aftermarket grips, very versatile for different size hands
Revolver Disadvantages-
a-Slower to reload
b-Bulky in larger calibers
c-Limited capacity-normally 5-7 shots carried in the cylinder
d-Concealed guns normally have short barrels effecting accuracy
e-Shorter barrels are harder to control recoil, slower on follow-up shots
f-Longer barrels are harder to conceal.
Semi-Auto Advantages
a)Capacity-higher
b)Quicker to reload
c)Smoother lines, faster to get into action
d)Lower Recoil-Faster Follow-up Shots
More people use semi-auto pistols today for self defense.
There are more different types today than there were 30 yrs
ago.
We will address first the size pistol for use. Normally there
are four general sizes available.
Full Size- Generally a barrel length of 4.5-5”, fit’s a full size hand. Has a full size grip and longer sight radius allowing better fundamentals helping to shoot more accurately. You can get a firmer grip making it easier to control the recoil of larger calibers. Higher magazine capacities can be used.
Compact-Generally a barrel of 3.5-4.5”, fit’s a medium to full size hand. May have a full grip or slightly shorter. This frame will give you many of the same advantages of the full size in a smaller frame. Should be fairly concealable. Capacity should still be ample.
Sub-Compact-Generally a barrel of less than 3.5”, fits smaller hands. Grip is smaller allowing only 2 fingers on a full size hand. This will be the easiest to conceal, but you will give up the advantages of a larger gun. Less mass to absorb recoil, shorter sight radius and less velocity of ammunition due to the shorter barrel. This degrades terminal ballistics making the caliber of the gun less effective. Also follow up shots are harder to get back on target as recoil is exaggerated due to short barrel. Lower ammunition capacity due to size.
Pocket Size-Generally anything with less than a 3” barrel. We are not a proponent of pocket carry and due to its lower caliber constraints, does not make a good self defense gun.
Several consideration when selecting a self defense handgun
must be considered.
1- What is the purpose of the gun? How will it be used?
2-Caliber? A minimum of .380 is my preference in a carry gun. Although I would only use that as a back up gun (BUG). We will discuss this at later in the manual. Any caliber of 9mm or higher should suffice as a self defense gun, keeping in mind, that a handgun is not the perfect man stopper. Use the largest caliber in the size gun that you choose, where you can control the recoil and report consistently.
3-Capacity- How many rounds does the firearm hold? Is it enough for your skill level?
4-Type of action- Single, Double, S/A-D/A or strike fire?
Can you shoot it accurately? It does not have to have target pistol type accuracy but does have to have a consistent shot patterns at self defense ranges.
5-Manufacturer and Model- Reliability is of utmost importance. While most manufactures today make great products, do not scrimp on a tool that may be the difference between life and death.
6-Ease of operation and maintenance- It must be easy to operate and maintain. Your fine motor skills will be degraded in a violent encounter and the gun must be easy to manipulate. It must be easy to maintain to increase the odds of reliability.
7-Fit and conformity- Does it fit your hand, does it feel comfortable. Does it point easily? Can you control the recoil?
What it will boil down to, is personal choices. Make your choices wisely.
Combat Pistol and Equipment
Understanding that a handgun is not the ideal firearm for
combat due to its limited stopping ability, is the first step in
selecting a handgun and its accessories. Let's look at what we
should look for and how it should be employed.
A. The Combat Handgun
In selecting the Combat Handgun, there are many
considerations. First and foremost should be reliability and/or
dependability. If your handgun does not hold up in training
and practice, it should not be used for self defense.
Second, caliber and stopping ability should be your next
consideration. We would contend that the minimum caliber
of a defensive handgun should be a 9mm/.38. Anything
smaller in caliber should be considered no more than a back
up gun (BUG). One should carry they maximum caliber that
can be shot comfortably. A caliber that you can control the
recoil for a second shot on target. I will not go into ballistics
of handguns here, but will say that even the largest caliber
handgun does not have the stopping power of a carbine, rifle
of shotgun.
There have been many studies done by the FBI after the
Miami Shootout that contends that larger is better and that
newer bullet design is sufficient even in smaller calibers. I
am not convinced. Smaller calibers should be considered
only if increased capacity is used. Our preference would be a
caliber starting in .4. Whatever you chose, you should be able
to control recoil for follow-up shots effectively. This can only
be realized in training and practice.
Next, we should look for a handgun from a reputable
manufacturer. Cheaper may seem a better deal to some, but
my question is always. What is your life worth? Do not
scrimp on a EDC (Everyday Carry). Your life may and
probably will at sometime depend on it.
How the handgun fits your hand is another consideration. If
your hand cannot manipulate the firearm , you will not be
effective in the use of that gun. Being able to reach the
controls of a handgun is critical, as you will lose fine motor
skills during a violent encounter. It must be simplistic in
design and easy to manipulate. Magazine releases, slide lock
releases, safety’s must be easily accessible and user friendly.
Revolvers must have easy access to cylinder latch releases.
The gun must fit your hand for you to be able to shoot it
accurately and comfortably.
Revolver vs. Semi Auto- Bar room brawls have been started
over easier questions. I have stated over and over again, a
firearm is a tool. Nothing more or nothing less. Have a good
tool, spend the time and money learning its advantages and
disadvantages. Another words, know what it will and won’t
do. I would never feel under gunned with a quality revolver
and enough speed loaders of ammo.
The benefits of a good quality revolver can never be
overlooked. There have probably been more self defense
shootings with a quality revolver that with modern day semi-
autos. Only due to the fact that revolvers have been around
longer.
Revolver Advantages-
a-Ease of operation-Less training and practice to become proficient
b-Reliability, less moving parts
c-Easily concealable in smaller frames
d-Can handle larger calibers in smaller gun
e-Due to aftermarket grips, very versatile for different size hands
Revolver Disadvantages-
a-Slower to reload
b-Bulky in larger calibers
c-Limited capacity-normally 5-7 shots carried in the cylinder
d-Concealed guns normally have short barrels effecting accuracy
e-Shorter barrels are harder to control recoil, slower on follow-up shots
f-Longer barrels are harder to conceal.
Semi-Auto Advantages
a)Capacity-higher
b)Quicker to reload
c)Smoother lines, faster to get into action
d)Lower Recoil-Faster Follow-up Shots
More people use semi-auto pistols today for self defense.
There are more different types today than there were 30 yrs
ago.
We will address first the size pistol for use. Normally there
are four general sizes available.
Full Size- Generally a barrel length of 4.5-5”, fit’s a full size hand. Has a full size grip and longer sight radius allowing better fundamentals helping to shoot more accurately. You can get a firmer grip making it easier to control the recoil of larger calibers. Higher magazine capacities can be used.
Compact-Generally a barrel of 3.5-4.5”, fit’s a medium to full size hand. May have a full grip or slightly shorter. This frame will give you many of the same advantages of the full size in a smaller frame. Should be fairly concealable. Capacity should still be ample.
Sub-Compact-Generally a barrel of less than 3.5”, fits smaller hands. Grip is smaller allowing only 2 fingers on a full size hand. This will be the easiest to conceal, but you will give up the advantages of a larger gun. Less mass to absorb recoil, shorter sight radius and less velocity of ammunition due to the shorter barrel. This degrades terminal ballistics making the caliber of the gun less effective. Also follow up shots are harder to get back on target as recoil is exaggerated due to short barrel. Lower ammunition capacity due to size.
Pocket Size-Generally anything with less than a 3” barrel. We are not a proponent of pocket carry and due to its lower caliber constraints, does not make a good self defense gun.
Several consideration when selecting a self defense handgun
must be considered.
1- What is the purpose of the gun? How will it be used?
2-Caliber? A minimum of .380 is my preference in a carry gun. Although I would only use that as a back up gun (BUG). We will discuss this at later in the manual. Any caliber of 9mm or higher should suffice as a self defense gun, keeping in mind, that a handgun is not the perfect man stopper. Use the largest caliber in the size gun that you choose, where you can control the recoil and report consistently.
3-Capacity- How many rounds does the firearm hold? Is it enough for your skill level?
4-Type of action- Single, Double, S/A-D/A or strike fire?
Can you shoot it accurately? It does not have to have target pistol type accuracy but does have to have a consistent shot patterns at self defense ranges.
5-Manufacturer and Model- Reliability is of utmost importance. While most manufactures today make great products, do not scrimp on a tool that may be the difference between life and death.
6-Ease of operation and maintenance- It must be easy to operate and maintain. Your fine motor skills will be degraded in a violent encounter and the gun must be easy to manipulate. It must be easy to maintain to increase the odds of reliability.
7-Fit and conformity- Does it fit your hand, does it feel comfortable. Does it point easily? Can you control the recoil?
What it will boil down to, is personal choices. Make your choices wisely.
